Deontay Wilder is not sure what to make of Anthony Joshua’s bout with Jake Paul in Miami on Friday.
The former WBC heavyweight champion, who won his lone fight of 2025 against Tyrell Herndon in the summer, had been in Dubai as part of the IBA Pro event. Asked whether he thought the contest that sees a two-time heavyweight champion against Paul is a serious fight, Wilder replied: “That’s the part I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s legit or not. You know what I mean? This is the first time we’re seeing Paul actually fight a fighter. You know what I'm saying? Not only is this a fighter, it’s a former champion and an active fighter at that. So we haven’t seen him do this. We’ve seen the Tyson thing, but that was all for fun.
“When I see exhibition fights, I only get fun out of it.”
Wilder was referring to the match last year between Paul and the 58-year-old former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson; a contest barely comparable to this.
“You’re dealing with a different situation,” Wilder explained. “The height difference is different. You’re an active fighter. And Paul can damn well be knocked out. You know what I mean? So I don't know if it’s scripted or not. All things being even. If this is a legit fight, I see Joshua taking him out.”
The fight is legitimate, sanctioned by the Florida commission and staged at the Kaseya Stadium, and set somewhat optimistically for eight rounds with the boxers wearing 10-ounce gloves.
